Can the Train Hit the Dragonflies?

Long Trains steadily revealing itself from the horizons always captivated Manu’s little eyes. He used to watch the trains arriving to the station whistling all the way from afar. It was a Sunday, a day of fun and frolic. As promised before, Manu wanted his uncle to take him to the nearest railway station, not to board any train but to see the trains move in and out of the station like disciplined ants making their entry and exit orderly. But Manu’s uncle refused to step out of the house citing the possibility of rains. However, Manu was very obstinate with his decision to visit the railway station along with his uncle. He invariably shunned all the excused aired by his uncle, for his desire to see the locomotive pressed him to persevere in his decision. Finally, Manu managed to convince his reluctant uncle to take him to the railway station. As decided, they headed towards the nearby railway station by evening.

Manu was not concerned about the immediate change of the weather condition, for the sky was unusually dark, signaling all the possibilities for a heavy shower. The sun shied away from the sky with the advent of the dark clouds, turning the day looks like an ordinary dusk of the monsoon season. While the birds began quickly retreating to their respective nests. The cattle and the sheep grazing in the fields looked nervous as they looked at the sky. People in the streets and the fields began rushing back to their houses fearing a hailstorm. A cool breeze gushed in carrying with it the sweet smell of the dusty mud, probably reminding the arrival of an impending shower to drench the thirsty earth beneath. When everyone busied to find a shelter from the fast approaching rain, Manu and his uncle were riding on a bike towards the railway station. Manu was blinded by the excitement to see the train tearing apart the horizons and crawling towards him like a huge centipede. The mere thought about the scene widened his eyes, with an immediate rush of adrenaline he held fast to his uncle tight. He always treasured the pillion rides with his uncle clutching to his rider’s coat as they ripped apart the strong wind.

As soon as they reached the station Manu rushed to the end of the platform to behold a proper view of the arriving trains. Coincidently, there was a pleasant surprise that was awaiting Manu in the railway station. When everyone hurried to their abodes fearing the rain, there were hundreds of dragonflies hovering about the railway yard undeterred by the sudden change of the weather. In fact, the dark clouds had woken them up from a long slumber setting them free to reign over the evening sky. The red helmeted dragonflies were just a stone throw away from Manu, aimlessly flying around like free birds. For Manu’s uncle the scenes were mundane and dreary. He rather chose to stay back in the station talking to one of his friends than accompanying Manu to wait for the trains. Manu was almost lost in the sight of the dragonflies which were hovering above like little helicopters. Holding his head high, he moved towards the track to get a better glimpse of the dragonflies. A raindrop which escaped the plumped belly of a dark cloud fell on Manu’s forehead and split apart in pieces. Unhindered by the early advent of the raindrop Manu kept his focus on the dragonflies. He spotted a red dragonfly which even dared to come close to him flying and circled around, and this fascinated him further.  

The dim neon lights were already on as the weather brought in a glimpse of darkness way ahead. Little fire flies had already begun its futile attempt to grab the light as though their routine all along the dark. Manu was immersed in the sight of the dragonflies, forgetting completely the reason for his arrival there. Suddenly there was a slight tremor on the track beneath Manu’s feet, reminding him of the arrival of train from afar. Far in the East, Manu could see clearly a beam of yellow light tearing apart the horizons and growing gradually bigger; it was an oncoming train. Manu switched his gaze to the train that steadily crawled into the railway station, honking like an old wagon. But the red dragonfly which circled around Manu was ignorant of the arrival of the train. It kept hovering above the track unaware of the impending danger. Manu kept waving his hands to alert the engine driver to stop the train so as to save the little fly. But the train passed Manu whistling loudly like a forlorn call at night and the rumbling sound of the track instilled fear in him further. With a hiss and screech sound of the brakes, the train came to an abrupt halt.

As he sat behind his uncle’s two-wheeler Manu was seen immersed in deep thoughts. Stopping over half the way, his uncle inquired him in surprise.

“What is bothering you Manu?”

After a short silence Manu asked him back,

“Uncle tell me, can the train hit the dragonflies?”

With a sarcastic laughter, his uncle kick-started the two-wheeler ignoring Manu’s puerile question.

But Manu was disturbed for he couldn’t trace out the body of the red dragonfly anywhere near the railway track.

While on their back home, holding fast to his uncles back and looking at the sky above he saw many more dragonflies soaring high in mirth. But his innocent question remained unanswered, ‘Can the train hit the dragonflies?’
The dark clouds above couldn’t hold on anymore, they discreetly let loose the grip on the raindrops, drenching Manu and his uncle with a cool embrace. 
And Manu couldn’t spot the dragonflies anymore!